January thaw?

January 9, 2013 12:01 AM

Bob Pettit, who normally works in construction management at Urban Engineers, breaks up snow so it will melt faster outside the building near Sassafras Street in Erie on Jan. 8. Pettit said he was looking forward to warmer temperatures over the next few days. GREG WOHLFORD/ERIE TIMES-NEWS

Temperatures in the region could top 50 degrees this weekend, thanks to a northern shift in the jet stream.

"The jet stream that supports colder air will move north over Canada and the region will be dominated by a subtropical jet stream that brings warmer air from the south and southwest,'' said Martin Thompson, a meteorological technician with the National Weather Service office in Cleveland.

Warmer temperatures are forecast through Tuesday.

Forecast details

Today will be partly sunny, with a high temperature in the low 40s and southwest winds gusting as high as 34 mph, according to the National Weather Service.

Thursday's forecast calls for sunshine and a high in the low 40s. Rain is expected to move into the region Thursday night and continue into Friday, which will see breezy conditions and a high near 50.

Saturday's forecast calls for a chance of showers and a high in the low 50s.